PICKLES: Positive Influences Changing Kids’ Lives in Elementary Schools
Available to all third grade classes on Whidbey by teacher request.
This program was created by our community service organization with the assistance of K-8 Washington State certified educators and funded in part by Island Thrift and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
Why? Studies, both locally and nationally, show that children are beginning to drink alcohol at very young ages, sometimes before they finish elementary school. Children are our future, and they are also our future drivers.
Therefore the goal of PICKLES is to help prepare children to make healthy and responsible decisions about alcohol and other drug use, and reinforce at an early age the “no use” drugs message. In addressing this goal the program seeks to teach students that:
1) Children should not drink alcohol.
2) Adults should not drink/drug and drive.
The format of the program: 50-minute presentation that includes McGruff safety materials including a coloring book, ruler and other goodies, a brief age-appropriate video, role-playing scenario, and talking about: healthy and unhealthy drinks for children, people you trust, impaired driving, and reinforcement activities with the children.
The PICKLES program is not intended to be a comprehensive, all-inclusive alcohol education curriculum. It is offered as another layer of positive influences to buffer children from the dangers of underage drinking, and ultimately drinking and driving.
Kathy Stanley, 3/4 Multiage Teacher, South Whidbey Elementary School:
“I thought the presentation was totally appropriate. The students were engaged and thoughtful and had good responses and insights. I think it should be required for all 3rd grades.”
